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Fernandez, Blackmon named co-NL Players of Week

4/5/14: Jose Fernandez pitches 6 2/3 shutout innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out eight Padres in a 5-0 win

By Joey Nowak
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MLB.com |

Young Marlins ace Jose Fernandez and Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon have been named the co-National League Players of the Week for the first week of the season.

Fernandez, last year's NL Rookie of the Year Award winner, earned his third career weekly award (the weeks of July 28 and Aug. 25 last season) while Blackmon brought home his second career honor (Sept. 22 of last year).

Fernandez was electric in opening his sophomore campaign with victories in both his outings. The right-hander tied for the Major League lead in wins while also matching Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto for the most strikeouts (17) in the NL.

Fernandez struck out nine and allowed just one run over six innings in his first career Opening Day start against the Rockies. That was the only run he allowed all week, as he threw 6 2/3 innings of shutout ball on Saturday against the Padres. Fernandez is now 11-0 in 17 starts at Marlins Park, extending his club record for most consecutive home starts without a loss to begin a career.

Blackmon, who led the Majors in hitting last week, turned in a .542 average (13-for-24) over seven games. His .560 on-base percentage also tied for tops in baseball. He was second in the NL in hits, third in slugging (.792) and fifth in total bases (19) and stolen bases (two). Blackmon also tied for 10th in runs (five) and RBIs (six).

Blackmon's nine hits over consecutive games Friday and Saturday tied Juan Pierre's franchise record set in 2012 and helped Colorado to back-to-back wins over Arizona. His 6-for-6 game on Friday tied a single-game franchise record set by Armando Galarraga in 1995, and Blackmon became just the 100th Major Leaguer since 1914 to have six or more hits in a game. He was also the first player to have at least six hits and three doubles in a game since Dick Groat of the Pirates in 1960.